The Spaniard has fallen from the Blues’ key midfielder to a bit-player frequenting the bench in the space of two years. While many expected an eventual wane, not many saw Fabregas’ demise coming this early.

However, it shouldn’t be all doom and gloom for the ex-Arsenal man. In fact, there might be reason to be optimistic ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Tottenham at the weekend. If the history books are to be trusted that is.

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Exile

Fabregas may not be suffering an exile comparable to that of Bastian Schweinsteiger, but it’s far from ideal for the 29-year-old.

Besides, his only Premier League start this season came in rather ignominious circumstances with Arsenal running away 3-0 victors at the Emirates. It was such an anonymous performance that Antonio Conte hasn’t started him in the seven fixtures since.

He may have shined and scored a brace against Leicester City in the EFL Cup, but to no avail.

This has, rather inevitably, led to rumours of an exit for the Spaniard. From Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to a potential loan move to West Ham, there’s no shortage of clubs interested in the midfielder.

After all, this is the man who racked up an astonishing 18 assists in the Premier League just two years ago and plied his trade at Barcelona for three years. Oh and there’s the small matter of a World Cup in his trophy cabinet.

Nevertheless, Conte isn’t one for sentiment and Fabregas continues to be drip fed time on the pitch.

Spurs record

However, continuing to snub Fabregas in the league may prove a costly mistake this weekend. Their Spanish midfielder has something of an impressive record against Tottenham and thus could be a key player.

This has been outlined via the research of Goal.com who have highlighted the fact Fabregas has provided 11 assists against Tottenham in the Premier League.

To accentuate just how impressive that statistic is, if the 29-year-old was to supply another against Spurs, it would be a Premier League record against a single opponent. Impressive stuff.

Therefore, there’s great reason to suggest that Fabregas knows the way to unlock a Tottenham defence. Perhaps it’s a product of his Arsenal rise and, as an ex-Gunner, the latent desire to get one over the north London side.

Nevertheless, the White Hart Lane-based outfit have changed considerably since Fabregas was last in form. The Spurs he faced in his Arsenal days and debut Chelsea campaign were fighting for the top four, never mind the title.

Tottenham have never been a pushover, but with the league’s top scorer leading their line and arguably the competition’s finest shot stopper, they’re a formidable outfit.

Coupled with Fabregas’ form, maybe his impeccable record against Spurs may have to wait to be advanced. However, Conte would be unwise to not at least consider the Spaniard against a side against which he has regularly thrived.

After all, the history books imply that it would be nothing short of a no brainer.

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